bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 46.08s

Edwardstone⁷⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 159| C| D

14/1

Grade-1 regular who produced just about a career best when winning the 2022 Tingle Creek over C&D. Has just the one run since and held by Jonbon on numerous pieces of form, though he did shape quite well in this race a year ago.

Form: 3-3F235

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Energumene⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 162

11/2

Top-class chaser who met with defeat for just the third time over fences when held by Jonbon in the Clarence House in January 2023. Win next 3 starts but has lost some of his lustre with a second-place finish in 2025 Ascot renewal and he pulled up in the Champion Chase.

Form: 311/12P

Harper's Brook^p¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| CD

125/1

Has his quirks but he's useful on his day and got off the mark for the season/current yard under a cute ride at Wetherby over Christmas. In nothing like the same form since and his jumping, attitude and ability will all be put under serious pressure in this company.

Form: 52143P

Il Etait Temps^h,t³⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160

9/2

Comfortably seen off twice by stablemate Gaelic Warrior in 2023/24 but won his other 3 starts, landing the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown and found things playing right into his hands in a race that tested speed at Aintree. Confirmed he's better than ever at Punchestown in May but off since.

Form: 121311-

Jonbon²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: N J Henderson| OR: 169| CD

8/15

Top-class, wonderfully consistent chaser who is unbeaten away from Cheltenham. Rare jumping lapse ruined his chance when runner-up in Champion Chase latest but gained compensation in ready fashion in the Melling Chase 3 weeks ago and he chases a hat-trick in this race.

Form: 1-11121

Master Chewy⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 156

22/1

Made up into a very smart chaser last term and signed off with a smashing second in Aintree Grade 1. Good efforts in handicaps this term before gutsy winner of the Game Spirit at Newbury in February. Could never land a blow in the Ryanair and this another stiff task.

Form: 2-4F315

Unexpected Party^t⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 149| BF

50/1

Sound jumper who cashed in on a reduced mark in the 2024 Grand Annual. Almost repeated the trick last month, finding only one too good. This is a totally different assignment in Grade 1 company.

Form: P-52422

Forecasts

Jonbon (8/15), Il Etait Temps (9/2), Energumene (11/2), Edwardstone (14/1), Master Chewy (22/1), Unexpected Party (50/1), Harper's Brook (125/1)

JONBON can boast a rare blend of durability and consistency for one of such high ability, gaining his tenth Grade 1 victory in easy fashion at Aintree 3 weeks ago. An on-song Energumene (second choice) aside, he's a class above these so is selected to complete a hat-trick in this race and sign off another brilliant campaign.